Gopalaka, aka: Gopālaka; 2 Definition(s)

Introduction

Gopalaka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Kathā (narrative stories)

Gopālaka (गोपालक) is the name of one of the two sons of Caṇḍamahāsena and his wife Aṅgāravatī, according to the Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 11. Gopālaka had a brother named Pālaka. Caṇḍamahāsena was previously known by the name Mahāsena and was the son of Jayasena, son of Mahendravarman (king of Ujjayinī). Aṅgāravatī was the daughter of Aṅgāraka, who broke the chariot of Caṇḍamahāsena in the form of a fierce boar and fled into a cavern, but was later slain by Caṇḍamahāsena.

In Kathāsaritsāgara, chapter 13, Pālaka and Gopālaka were pursuing Udayana (king of Vatsa), who escaped from Caṇḍamahāsena together Vasantaka, Yaugandharāyaṇa, Vāsavadattā and Kāñcanamālā.

The Kathāsaritsāgara (‘ocean of streams of story’), mentioning Gopālaka, is a famous Sanskrit epic story revolving around prince Naravāhanadatta and his quest to become the emperor of the vidyādharas (celestial beings). The work is said to have been an adaptation of Guṇāḍhya’s Bṛhatkathā consisting of 100,000 verses, which in turn is part of a larger work containing 700,000 verses.

Source: Wisdom Library: Kathāsaritsāgaracontext information

Kathās (कथा) are special kind of Sanskrit literature: they are a kind of a mix between Itihāsa (historical legends) and Mahākāvya (epic poetry). Some Kathās reflect socio-political instructions for the King while others remind the reader of the historical deeds of the Gods, sages and heroes.

In Buddhism

Pali

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.